CVE-2026-53655

What it is

node-tar is a full-featured Tar for Node.js. Prior to 7.5.16, tar (node-tar) applies a PAX extended header's size= record (and other PAX overrides) to the next header entry of any type, including intermediary metadata headers such as a GNU long-name (L) or long-link (K) entry. Per POSIX pax, a PAX extended header (x) describes the next file entry, not the intermediary extension headers that may sit between the x header and the file it annotates. Because node-tar lets the PAX size override the byte length of an intervening L/K/x header, an attacker can desynchronize node-tar's stream cursor relative to every other mainstream tar implementation (GNU tar, libarchive/bsdtar, Python tarfile, and the now-fixed tar-rs / astral-tokio-tar). The result is a tar parser interpretation differential (CWE-436): a single crafted archive yields a different set of members under node-tar than under the reference tar tools. An attacker can use this to hide a member from one parser while it is visible to another, which defeats security tooling whose scanner and extractor disagree on archive contents (e.g. a malware/secret scanner that lists entries with one library while a downstream step extracts with another) This vulnerability is fixed in 7.5.16.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. High risk of data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-06-22 16:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-25 23:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.9 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-06-22 16:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-25 23:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-436

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Isaacs Tar < 7.5.16

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 6.9

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-53655.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-53655. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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